Let’s be a resource
Published 9:13 am Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Organizations throughout the region and beyond are working to support area veterans. While there’s much more to be done, particularly related to providing medical and economic resources, we at The Dispatch express our gratitude to the Piedmont Area Veterans Council and Community Resources (PAVCCR) organization and the Virginia Economic Commission’s (VEC) Disabled Veteran Outreach Program for their work to provide resources for area veterans. For these organizations, a past article showed the faces of two representatives: Rex Ellsworth and Sarah Maddox Dunn.
Ellsworth noted that disabled veterans have the opportunity to receive educational, economic and medical assistance. More importantly, Ellsworth noted that he could come to them if they don’t have the opportunity to come to his Emporia office.
Dunn said the Veterans Council, which has a thrift store in Farmville, holds meetings the third Monday of every month, 10:30 a.m. at the Farmville Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post.
Claude Tomlinson, with the Lunenburg VFW Post, said that Dunn “can get claims through better than anyone I know.”
War veterans make up a sizable group not only in the region but in Lunenburg County as well.
The previous article did not highlight all of the veteran resources that are available. While a few others are included below, we task residents to also be a resource to neighbors and friends who are veterans. This could include suggesting organizations that could help assist them, providing rides to appointments or spending time with them.
For the PAVCCR organization, call (434) 213-3661 or email pavc23901@aol.com.
For the VEC’s Disabled Veteran Outreach Program, Ellsworth can be reached at (434) 634- 3762 or Rex.Ellsworth@ vec.virginia.gov.
Learn about the Lunenburg VFW Post 9954 at http://myvfw. org/va/post9954/ or call (434) 696-2966. Visit the Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center website at www.richmond. va.gov or call (804) 675- 5000.
Learn more about veteran benefits at www. benefits.va.gov/compensation/apply.asp or call 1 (800) 827-1000.
